LB 729, the Biometric Autonomy Liberty Law, prohibits private entities (like businesses or corporations) from requiring or forcing individuals to use biometric data collection devices (such as fingerprint scanners, voice recognition, or facial recognition systems) except for specific security purposes. The law defines biometric data broadly to include fingerprints, voice prints, and eye scans, but explicitly excludes health data under HIPAA, DMV fraud detection systems, and financial data regulated by federal law. Private companies cannot mandate biometric data collection for non-security reasons, though they may use it for security purposes like preventing crime or protecting property. The law does not apply to government agencies in their official security functions or to existing health, education, or financial data protections.
LB 136 updates Nebraska's civil procedure rules for garnishment cases. It requires creditors to serve garnishment notices on corporate garnishees (like businesses) through their registered agent in Nebraska, rather than directly to the company. The bill also clarifies that a "continuing lien" on a debtor's wages - allowing ongoing wage withholding - lasts 90 days (with a possible 90-day extension) and automatically ends under specific conditions like full judgment payment or the debtor leaving employment. This directly affects creditors seeking to collect judgments, debtors with wages subject to garnishment, and corporate entities serving as garnishees.
LB 119 establishes the Rural Health Opportunity Program to encourage Nebraska students from rural areas to pursue healthcare careers. It requires the University of Nebraska and Nebraska State Colleges to create a joint agreement for selecting eligible students and provides a 100% tuition and fee waiver for up to four years at state colleges while completing coursework needed to transfer to the University of Nebraska Medical Center. To qualify, students must be Nebraska high school graduates or equivalent residents of designated rural areas. The bill states legislative intent to fund the program annually but was indefinitely postponed on May 30, 2025.
LB 232 requires life insurance companies in Nebraska to provide at least 30 days' written notice before a policy lapses due to unpaid premiums, specifically for policies assigned as security for loans. Insurers may charge up to $2.50 per notice for this service, and lenders (assignees) can formally request these notices in writing. Additionally, Nebraska residents aged 65+ can designate a third party (e.g., family member) to receive policy notices about cancellation or non-renewal, with both the senior and third party needing to submit written requests to the insurer. The bill mandates insurers to send these notices to both the policyholder and the designated third party, while clarifying that this does not affect existing contractual rights.
LB 420 amends Nebraska's Public Employees Retirement Board structure by specifying its membership composition and appointment rules. The bill requires seven appointed board members to be active or retired participants in specific state retirement systems (like school employees, judges, state patrol, and county employees), plus two non-state members with management or actuarial expertise. It establishes staggered five-year terms for most members, adds a new Class V school teacher position starting September 2024, and clarifies appointment procedures (Governor appoints with legislative approval). This directly affects who serves on the retirement board and how retirement system participants are represented. The bill replaces the existing board provisions without altering retirement benefit calculations or funding.
Nebraska's LB 83 adopts the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, allowing licensed dentists and dental hygienists from participating states to practice in Nebraska without obtaining a separate state license. The bill creates a "Compact Privilege" pathway, removing duplicate requirements for professionals already licensed in another participating state, while requiring criminal background checks under Nebraska's Uniform Credentialing Act. This directly affects dentists, dental hygienists, and Nebraska's licensing authorities by streamlining interstate practice and improving access to dental services. The compact also enables states to share disciplinary information and regulate practitioners who use the privilege, without changing existing state licensure standards.
Nebraska's LB 404 allows courts to extend a person's probation term when both the probation officer and the probationer jointly request it. This change modifies existing law to formally permit extensions within the original time limits (up to five years for felonies, two years for misdemeanors). The bill does not create new conditions or obligations but provides a clear process for extending probation when both parties agree. It directly affects individuals serving probation for felony or misdemeanor convictions in Nebraska.
Nebraska's LB 186 amends the Liquor Control Act to establish clearer rules for "entertainment districts," which are designated areas where bars, breweries, and distilleries can share a common public space (a "commons area") for alcohol consumption. The bill requires licensees to obtain an additional $300 annual "entertainment district license," restricts alcohol service to times when food is available in the commons area, and mandates that all served alcohol must be in containers displaying the licensee's unique mark. It also sets safety standards for commons areas, including pedestrian barriers, no open containers on streets, and reduced vehicle speeds near sidewalks. This directly affects local governments (which can create or revoke districts), license holders (retail, craft brewery, microdistillery), and the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission (which processes applications and enforces rules).
This bill expands protections under Nebraska's One-Call Notification System Act by broadening the definition of unlawful interference to include disruptions to telecommunications, broadband, communications, and power transmission infrastructure. It directly affects individuals who intentionally damage or interfere with utility poles, cables, or transmission systems. The key change replaces the original language to explicitly cover these infrastructure types, making it a violation to disrupt such services. Penalties for violations will now follow the existing provisions in section 28-519 of Nebraska law. The bill does not create new penalties but updates the scope of existing protections.
LB 347 would repeal Section 75-148 of Nebraska's laws, which previously imposed specific conditions on common carriers (like transportation companies) when they sought to issue securities (e.g., bonds or stocks). This change would remove those conditions, allowing common carriers to issue securities without meeting the prior requirements. The bill directly affects transportation companies seeking to raise capital through financial instruments. As of May 2025, the bill was indefinitely postponed after being filed in January.
Nebraska's LB 228 amends the Legislative Performance Audit Act to update audit procedures, primarily affecting state agencies and the Legislative Auditor's office. The bill requires annual scheduling of performance audits for specific tax credit programs (like the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit and ImagiNE Nebraska Act), mandating each be reviewed at least once every five years. It revises definitions of key terms, clarifies committee composition for audits, and updates standards for conducting audits to align with current practices. The changes aim to streamline audit processes while maintaining oversight of state tax incentive programs.
LB 35 amends a regulation governing exemptions for privately developed renewable energy projects in Nebraska. It changes the reference from "7.4" to "791.4" as it existed on January 1, 2025, for facilities like rooftop solar or small wind installations seeking certain regulatory exemptions. This bill directly affects private developers of small-scale renewable energy generation who rely on these exemptions to avoid specific permitting or grid connection requirements. The change is procedural, updating which specific rule applies but not altering the exemption criteria or eligibility itself. The bill remains in the Natural Resources Committee with no further action taken as of the provided date.
